At the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) in Pasadena, California, 10 different administrative law judges (ALJ) conduct Social Security Disability (SSD) hearings and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) hearings. Currently, in Pasadena, the average wait time for a SSI or SSD hearing is 18.0 months. The average case processing time in Pasadena is 566 days.The Pasadena average for winning a SSI or SSD disibility hearing is 46%. Click on the name of one of the ALJs below to see detailed information about their hearing results. This information for the Pasadena ODAR office was last updated on 9/7/2016.

Judge Walters was very attentive when I was giving testimony for my Ssdi hearing. He listened and asked about all my conditions and medications. Very knowledgeable. The best! My hearing was 1 hour but with medical evidence I was approved.

I recently am in post hearing status with James Goodman ... I am not fully aware of my rights but since my hearing I have conyinued to recieve zero help in the process of what Mr Goodman gas asked for from health advocates nor my primary. Care dr ...I ended up going to Arcadia methodist and receiving a battery of tests and was referred out to a cardiologist and neutoligists from Dr Fakoori upon my release at Arcadia my intake was done at Arcadia Mental health I don't see the actual dr until June 8th I am awaiting for the approval for the neutral gist and cardiologist from my primary care dr ..... I am asking for more time from Mr Goodman to provide the medical tests he needs to make his decision based on his findings I don't have enough records for him for approval I have had zero help from my primary nor health advocates recently i have saught other council Barbara Case I no longer am in need of health advocates services they DONT believe nor care about the severity of my health I am.constantly sick very confused most days about every two weeks I have a break down of silicone I have brain fog often
... I have one letter from Dr Valotta stating my limitations and the length He has treated myself .... I need more time I have to be taken everywhere I am in serious duress all the time trying to care for myself ....tomorrow morning I am suppose to speak with Sal Mr Goodman's assistant. ...I will be taken to the office of Mr Goodman's. Asking for more time and explaining I have had no help with medical or dr refferels from. My primary dr or health advocates I am going back to my valotta and it takes three weeks for my insurance t approve my request to start seeing Dr Valotta again in the mean tumeDr Paul which is my primary. Current has done nothing to help this process to provide Mr Goodman with the information he needs for his determination

A fairly good judge. I have appeared in front of Judge Kopicki a number of times and I find him to be intelligent, sincere, and thorough, even in cases he turned down. If a case he turned down is remanded to him he has been fair about reconsidering his prior decision.
He is neither liberal nor conservative in his decisions.
On occasion he has prejudged a case and digs in his heels during the hearing, but usually he is open-minded. I have not seen him to be cyncial.

I am going to sent an enquiry to Judge Stuart Waxman via the "contact us"portion/link on your page per the instructions. Thank you in advance Judge Waxman for your patirnce and understanding in my disability hearing at the end of last year. Sincerely, Carmen Clarissa Ridley Clause
January 05, 2014

To the Honerably Dennis T. Bennett. You do exactly what your job demands.If all Judges followed protocal the same it would make the system more fair. Their are to many fakes that have slipped thru the cracks. To many SDI people don't even live in their own state or country?

All these comments are subjective and correct. I worked with Judge Bennett and he is basically all of these. Most of these judges should stepped down they are a waste of government money. All government employees should have physicals.

Hearing held by video. Had an arrogant attitude and seemed very conservative. Has less than average approval rating. Formed opinions in his decision that totally ignored medical evidence. AC remanded for this reason.

Absoluley appauling Individule.Comes to court with a black eye skined up forehead and cheek. Maybe its Martini time or AA. He is definatley unorganized and does not remember what he ask for or why.I won my case but this man should step down! Just another waste of tax payers money. So long Honerable Bennett

I thought this judge was very kind and professional. Also patient while I answered his questions and very polite. I was nervous about my hearing but he relaxed me right away with his good morning! He also wanted to see all my records before making a decision and I know that he already made his decision but passed it to the writers. I was happy I had Judge Simon.

By far the best ALJ I have come across. While it is true that he orders a lot of CE's, at the end, he is very passionate about what people are going through with their physical and mental conditions.
If you case is heard by this judge, consider yourself fortunate.

What a sweetheart. Look at that approval rating! He is a gem in that super conservative office. One of my favorite Judges of all time. My pet peave...disrespectful lawyers. If a lawyer has a problem with Judge Bennett, maybe they should consider how they come across. Name calling and arrogance will surely put you on anyone's bad side. I whole heartedly disagree with any negative comments about this Judge. Consider yourself super lucky if your case is assigned to Judge Bennett!

He doesnt ask for a opening/closing. May discuss with you about what kind of claim (ssd or ssi). He sometimes is friendly and will joke around with the client but at time he can be a bit rude with questions. He always wants to know if he found the cliamant a job that would fit his restriction (like..stand or sit option) why they cant perform it so prepare your clients to answer these questions. He goes off CE RFC as an hypo. Also, make sure you have CE already in the file if not he will continue the hearing and wont take any testimony at all so for his sake and your client it might be best to request a CE so that your hearings arent continued.

Issues of relevancy and necessity can be highly subjective. If one of the CEs found a claimant disable, would that still be deemed "unnecessary"? I believe that it would be a greater disservice to the claimants and SSA to under-develop cases and just pass them on as a denial???

Has to be one of the worst ALJs in the country. Ill-tempered and horribly, horribly disorganized. Wastes countless taxpayer dollars and claimants' time ordering unnecessary CEs and demands endless numbers of supplemental hearings--all to chase after irrelevant issues.
Why can't ODAR make these senile, old coots retire gracefully? They are a disservice to claimants and SSA.

Terrible judge. Ignores evidence; twists statements, and is one of the most cynical individuals I have ever dealt with. Believes he knows more than doctors' do. I sincerely feet sorry for any disabled individual that has to go in front of him. Personally speaking, I don't think he's that intelligent and informed medically, despite what I am sure he believes of himself.